First Dubai Tram Accident, What lesson we learnt

The first accident caused since Dubai Tram opened on November 2014. One car collide with Tram on JBR. As it sounds it is a mishap should avoid every driver who drive through the Tram way. Thank god it was minor crash with no injury.

The reason behind the crash

Mohammed Mudharreb, Director of Rail Operations at the RTA explained the cause,

Two of the lanes are heading straight, while the left lane is for traffic going left. There are two different traffic lights: one for traffic going straight and one for traffic going left.

What is important to realize here is that these traffic lights function separately from each other. While the traffic light may have given a green light to traffic heading straight, the traffic going left might be stopped by a red light.

Yesterday, the motorist on the left lane mistook the green light for the traffic going straight for a green light to go left, while his traffic light was red.

He took off at high speed, and once he had taken the turn he realized that there was traffic coming his way. He promptly stopped his car while he was on the track of the tram at that moment.

"A tram approached, the driver used his emergency break to minimise the damage and there was a minor crash," he said.

In the case of this accident, the driver could not see the tram approaching, because it was in his blind spot

However, the driver should have paid attention to the traffic light, which was meant for him, he pointed out.

"There are three or four similar junctions with Dubai Tram in the same area, where traffic lights signal directions for traffic to different destinations.

"It is important that the motorist pays strict attention in these junctions areas and do not take off fast, in order to avoid such accidents."

As depicts in the diagram below there was a two distinct units of signals are there in the tram area. One dedicated for the tram way. So even if the signals green in the straight the left turn signal may be red.

Lesson learnt

Majority of the accident happening due to the distraction while driving. This distraction can be a mobile phone or any other road users. So we should be alert always during driving.

Pay special attention to signals and rules on tram area when you driving through.

Ttraffic lights function separately from each other in tram area. While the traffic light may have given a green light to traffic heading straight, the traffic going left might be stopped by a red light.

The speed limit mostly in tram area is 60 or 80 KMPH. Follow the speed limit